Andrew Lesnie, 'Lord of the Rings' cinematographer, dies

SYDNEY (AP) — Oscar-winning Australian cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, best known for his work on "The Lord of the Rings," has died, friends and colleagues said Wednesday. He was 59.

Lesnie died Monday after suffering from a serious heart condition for the past six months, the Australian Cinematographers Society said in a statement, after the group's president confirmed Lesnie's death with his family.

Lesnie, a Sydney native, won an Academy Award in 2002 for "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," the first film in the series. He worked with New Zealand director Peter Jackson on all six "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" films, along with the 2005 remake of "King Kong" and "The Lovely Bones."

In an emotional statement, Jackson said he considered Lesnie a brother who was a calm, steady and supportive presence on set and who never sought admiration despite being one of the greatest cinematographers of all time.

"Andrew was an irreplaceable part of my family and I am in total disbelief that I'll never again hear his infectious laugh, nor benefit from his quiet wisdom, or enjoy his generous praise," Jackson wrote on his Facebook page. "Andrew created unforgettable, beautiful images on screen, and he did this time and again, because he only ever served what he believed in — he was his own artist, separate from me, but always working generously to make what we were trying to create together better."